Below is a Facebook post from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police. For 2024-2025, Fiocchi partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to increase the visibility of poaching incidents in an effort to reduce poaching.
WDFW Police seek the public’s assistance to identify anyone involved in the spree shooting of two elk and one deer that occurred on the evening of Friday Dec. 6th in Cowlitz County. Officers believe the individuals were involved in multiple shootings along Highway 503 near the town of Ariel and Cougar, Wash.
Fish and Wildlife officers received a report on the evening of Friday Dec. 6th of a firearm being discharged from a truck near Yale Park in the town of Cougar, Wash. Upon further investigation officers found a dead deer in Yale Park.
The following day a report was received of two dead elk in a field near the Cowlitz County Fire Station in Ariel, Wash. Officers determined they were also most likely killed on the evening of Dec. 6th.
Officers are looking for the owner of a light-colored 2000-2010 Chevy crew cab or extended cab truck involved in the shooting. Officers are also looking for two men who recovered one of the dead elk from the field near Cowlitz County Fire Station on Saturday Dec. 7th around 9 AM. They were driving a similar vehicle description of a light-colored Chevy 1500 truck.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call 360-902-2936 option 1, visit the department’s website at wdfw.wa.gov and click on violations, or text WDFWTIP to 847411. Those who provide information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward or bonus points for special permit hunting opportunities.
(Photo credit: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police)